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Survey highlights uni students struggle with work and study

AM - Friday, 9 March , 2007 08:08:00

Reporter: Peta Donald

TONY EASTLEY: A survey of students at universities around the country has found they're worse off, financially, than when the same survey was conducted six years ago.

The Australian Vice Chancellor's Committee argues it's affecting the quality of education because so many students have to fit their studies in around paid work.

The Federal Education Minister, Julie Bishop argues there's a generous level of income support for students in Australia, and it's up to them to find the right balance between work and study.

From Canberra Peta Donald reports.

PETA DONALD: Money is always a worry for 21-year old psychology student Rhiannon Platt. She lives with her family in Melbourne, and works, but still has a $6,000 dollar credit card debt, and a car loan to pay.

RHIANNON PLATT: I feel like I should be working more and taking… when I should be studying I should be doing work.

I should be working a shift. It's just very difficult to balance the two and it's always sort of in the back of my mind, worrying about money.

PETA DONALD: It's a common complaint, among the 19,000 students who responded to a survey for the Australian Vice Chancellor's Committee.

Forty per cent of full-time undergraduates agreed that working, had a bad effect on their studies, compared with 16per cent who felt that six years ago. About a quarter had to take out a loan to study, up from 10 per cent in 2000.

Professor Alan Robson from the Vice Chancellor's committee is concerned.

ALAN ROBSON: The survey would indicate that there are considerable difficulties being faced by students in A, supporting themselves and B, getting the maximum out of their university experience.

PETA DONALD: The committee will use the results to push for more income support for students. It's a call backed by the Federal Opposition's education spokesman Stephen Smith.

STEPHEN SMITH: We've got to now effectively, to breaking point. Too many students doing too many part-time jobs, doing too much work and not getting on with their great opportunity to maximise their potential and get ahead.

PETA DONALD: But the Education Minister Julie Bishop is not convinced it's as tough as the Vice Chancellor's make out. She argues Australia is more generous to students than many other developed countries, and that with a tight labour market students can earn more than in the past.

JULIE BISHOP: They are working the same or similar hours, yet the earnings they get for those similar house have increased by 82 per cent.

Now I didn't see that in the Vice Chancellor's press release.

PETA DONALD: The survey found a quarter of full-time students, and 40 per cent of part-time ones, regularly skipped classes to go to work. The Minister is not impressed.

JULIE BISHOP: Yes I am concerned about that. Study and work should be in balance and I think the job market means it could be much more flexible for students. They've got to find the right balance between work and study.

PETA DONALD: So you're putting the onus back on the students, not to do so much work. But the students say that they have no choice.

JULIE BISHOP: Well public support is not designed to support a lifestyle. Public support, the taxpayers support that the government provides is to cover living expenses.